IGN Hit With Layoffs - 1UP, UGO and GameSpy Closed Down
New owners stripping sites down.
Remember when Rupert Murdoch sold IGN to j2 Global's Ziff Davis subsidiary earlier this month? Bet you thought it was the dawn of an exciting new era for the US games press. Guess again - the company's new corporate overlords have slapped IGN with layoffs, and closed down GameSpy, 1UP.com and UGO.
The move, according to a statement, is so that the publisher can focus on its two "flagship" brands, IGN and AskMen. It will no doubt be a sad shock to those who have frequented these sites for many years.
"Given the state of the market and the economy, it simply wasn't feasible to run multiple sites all focused on video game content," wrote IGN's Casey Lynch, the poor sod who has to relay the corporate message like it's a good thing, and take the heat from disappointed readers around the world.
"Layoffs and site closures fucking suck. It reminds us that this is indeed a business, and not just a fun past-time that kids tumble into an office to type about," he added.
"I choose to remember all the heart, soul, blood, sweat and beers that went into creating 1UP and GameSpy, and all the hard work, love, and devotion that those we say goodbye to today poured out for you and this industry while at IGN, 1UP, and GameSpy."
Sad news all round. SPOnG wishes all those affected the best of luck.
The move, according to a statement, is so that the publisher can focus on its two "flagship" brands, IGN and AskMen. It will no doubt be a sad shock to those who have frequented these sites for many years.
"Given the state of the market and the economy, it simply wasn't feasible to run multiple sites all focused on video game content," wrote IGN's Casey Lynch, the poor sod who has to relay the corporate message like it's a good thing, and take the heat from disappointed readers around the world.
"Layoffs and site closures fucking suck. It reminds us that this is indeed a business, and not just a fun past-time that kids tumble into an office to type about," he added.
"I choose to remember all the heart, soul, blood, sweat and beers that went into creating 1UP and GameSpy, and all the hard work, love, and devotion that those we say goodbye to today poured out for you and this industry while at IGN, 1UP, and GameSpy."
Sad news all round. SPOnG wishes all those affected the best of luck.
Companies:
Ziff Davis
Comments
DrkStr 22 Feb 2013 13:11
1/1
It's a passtime, as in a hobby or something to pass the time!
It's not a past-time, as in a time in the past!
It's not a past-time, as in a time in the past!